A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 21

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Texas > Henderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 21
USA > Texas > Freestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 21
USA > Texas > Leon County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 21
USA > Texas > Anderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 21
USA > Texas > Limestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 21
USA > Texas > Navarro County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 21

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Mr. Drane has been very successful in his business, and the firm now is one of the largest of the kind in that section of the State. M. Drane & Son are also own- ers of stock in the Texas Building and Loan Association, and the oil mill. There are few public or private enterprises in or abont Corsicana but what have had the encouragement and substantial aid of the

subject of this memoir. Among these may be mentioned the public-school sys- tem and the State Orphans' Home. His valuable services were rendered to the former as member of the school committee and of the city council. In promoting the latter beneficent institution, Mr. Drane was indefatigable in his exertions, having the canse great at heart. He was a member of the citizens' committee on location, and was appointed by Governor Ross a mein- ber of the Board of Trustees, of which he was chosen chairman. It was largely through his influence that the institution was located in this county, as great efforts were made by varions parties to secure the site elsewhere. The site located, Mr. Drane did not rest or withdraw his interest. He was thoroughly imbued with the subject, believing that this institution for in- digent orphans, thongh the youngest and last one of the eleemosynary institutions to secure the fostering care of the State, was one of the most important to the State, and that good citizens, trne men and women, could be made from the nnfor- tunate poor aud helpless orphans. So deep was his interest in this matter that 'he spent inch of his time, extending his valnable services, through his enthusiasmn for the cause, beyond what was really re- quired as a trustee. He carried his labors into the laying ont of and improving the gronnds, superintending the erection of buildings, etc. Finding the legislature Inkewarm on the subject, he went to Ans- tin and there labored night and day for his pet project. The Ways and Means Committee had given the Orphans' Home no recognition, but this did not discourage

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him; he continued to work, and finally succeeded in securing from the legislature an appropriation to open up the institu- tion. He has continued his untiring de- votion, which has made it efficient and prosperous and a great blessing to the poor orphans, and our subject may be truly regarded as one of the founders of the institution and a great benefactor to the orphans of the State. In his labors for the Orphans' Home, he had for his earnest and active co-workers Captain Gar- rity and R. S. Neblett, especially in the matter of locating the site.

Among other important enterprises look ing to the development of Corsicana, in which Mr. Drane was one of the original projectors, may be mentioned the Cotton Compress, having for his associates in this enterprise James Garrity, Joseph Hney and S. J. T. Johnson; the securing of the St. Lonis & Texas Narrow Gauge Railroad to Corsicana, having among his co-workers in this enterprise Joseph Huey, James Garrity, Major A. Beaton and S. J. T. Johnson. To Mr. Drane the credit is due for the establishment of the piscatorial cultivation near Corsicana, now known as Fish Tank No. 1, of which company he was an original charter member. This led to the establishment of No. 2, and the water lake as a city water supply, all of which are stocked with fine fish. These places have become quite attractive resorts for fishing and picnicking parties. Another very important industry for Corsicana is the plant of the Texas Flour Mill and Ele- vator Company, of which Mr. Drane was the projector. One of the last notable and worthy enterprises that claimed the atten-

tion and liberal support of the subject of this biography was the erection of the new Cumberland Presbyterian church. This is a fine structure and would be an orna- inent to any city.

Mr. Drane was united in marriage at Clay village, Kentucky, December 6,1860, to Malvina Todd, the daugliter of Louis and Louisa (Lowery) Neal. Eight chil- dren blessed this union: Frank N., born Jannary 14, 1862; Ora B., born January 10, 1866; Florence, born November 17, 1864; Rutlı, born October 21, 1867; Lena, born March 6, 1874; Maud and May (twins), born January 9, 1876; and Meritt, Jr., October 15, 1885, all living but Ora, Florence and May. Frank N. was mar- ried January 13, 1885, to Miss Florence, daughter of Rev. S. H. Bingman, of Wil- mington, Ohio. Frank N. was educated at Trinity University and at Poughkeepsie, New York. After his return from college lie entered his father's store, and later be- came a partner. By his wife, Florence, he has two children, Hugh A. and Louise. Ruth was married to Charles R. Bullock, November 15, 1887; children, Alma and Lucile. The Neals were of Irish ancestry, and emigrated to the American colonies at an early day, settling in Maryland. The biographer can go back only to George Neal, the grandfather of Malvina Todd Neal. He was born in 1755, and at an early age was left an orphan, and had to make his own way in the world. He be- came a soldier of the Revolution, and took part in some of the most important battles of that long struggle for liberty. He fought in the battles of Monmouth, Pen- nington, Stillwater, Yorktown, and was

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one of a troop of 100 men detailed and sent forward to draw on the fight at Bran- dywine. In the summer of 1780 he went to Kentucky and settled at the Falls of the Ohio river, near the present site of Louis- ville, and began farming. February 15, 1785, he married Betsy, daughter of Colo- nel Manower Singleton, who had moved in from Virginia in 1779, settling at Bry- ant's Station. They became the parents of eleven children: James, Elijah, Jesse, John, George, Creath, Lewis, David, Polly, Jane and Elizabeth. Lewis, the seventh son, was the father of Mrs. Drane. Of this large family, David is the only one living, and is now in his eighty-second year. His father, George Neal, died Oc- tober 30, 1836, and the mother, Elizabeth Betsy, May 2, 1852. Lewis Neal was born April 19, 1799, and died May 1, 1868; his wife, Louisa, was the daughter of Mel- vin Lowery. To them were born fourteen children: William F., Mary E., Elizabeth J., John L., George M., Phoebe L., Martha W., Nancy N., Jessie, Maggie F., Louise R., Malvina T., Tomson A. and James D. Mary was married to George Smith; Eliza- beth, to Bryant Sloan; Phœbe, to J. S. Basket; Martha W., to James Middleton; Nancy, to Dr. G. M. Phillip; Maggie, to E. Drane; Louise, to Crom Hoskins, and Malvina, as above mentioned. Lewis Neal was a man of prominence in Kentucky, was a slave-owner and planter, and was also in- terested in bank stock. He was also strong in religion, being a member of the " hard- shell" Baptist Church, at Clay village, Kentucky. He was a man of high chiar- acter, and lived in the esteem and con- fidence of all who knew him.

Mr. and Mrs. Drane and their family are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church. They take a prominent and active part in its affairs, and contrib- ute liberally to its support. Mr. Drane is a member of the Masonie order, and a Knight Templar. In politics he is a Democrat. They have a beautiful home, located in the northwestern part of the city, where they live surrounded by a happy family of bright children, to whom they are much devoted. To them was be- queathed an inheritance by their ancestors, the Dranes, Fords and Neals, far richer than jewels or gold,-characters unsullied by any act of crime, fraud or dishonesty.

Thus, in a brief way, the historian has traced the head lines of the subject of this memoir and his kindred from the colonial days to the present time. Before closing so interesting a subject it is most fitting and proper to voice, to some extent at least, the sentiment of the community with which he has been so long associated. By industry, sound judgment, and correct business principles, Mr. Drane has ac- quired a competence, which he disposes to charitable and worthy objects with a lib- eral hand. As a citizen, he has been patriotic and public-spirited, ever solici- tous for the public weal; a man of broad views, he is and has been a liberal contrib- utor to all worthy projects, and a potent factor in the development of the city in which he has so long made his home. As a husband and father he has been ever thoughtful, kind and devoted: as a neigh- bor, charitable and most generous. From his many years of toil, he can now take a lease and rest, enjoying that contentment

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which comes from integrity of purpose and faithfulness of action, blessed also with the consciousness that he has dealt honestly and justly with his fellow man, and that his labors have not only wrought good unto himself, but will be of perpetual bene- fit to the people and the State.

Dr. J. W. Gulick .- Many worthy prac- titioners of the medical art have borne the title of " beloved physician " bestowed on St. Luke, but, within the sphere of his la- bors, perhaps no one has borne it more worthily than he of whoin we here write. For forty years Dr. Gulick has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession, during which period he devoted the best efforts of an exceptionally laborious pro- fessional life to the good of his fellow man. He is now one of the leaders of the medical fraternity in Navarro county, and we hope that this brief memoir will be an acceptable summary of his career to his co-laborers and many old friends and patients.

Dr. Gulick was born near Princeton in Mercer county, New Jersey, on February 6, 1829. His earlier years were spent in his native place, and his education, be- gun under a private instructor, was pur- sued under him and at Princeton College up to his fifteenthi year. At that time the financial embarrassinent of his father and the death of his mother turned him from a home of affluence ont on the world to make his way as best he could. He went to Cheraw, South Carolina, and there secured employment as clerk in the drug house of Dr. Archibald Molloy. His at- tention was soon attracted to the profes- sion of medicine, and after finishing his

general studies, the pursuit of which had for a time been abandoned, he took up a course of reading in physic under the di- rection of his employer, Dr. Molloy, and followed it assidnously for a number of years. When he had saved enough from his earnings to enable him to attend a medical school he entered the medical de- partment of the University of Pennsyl- vania, at Philadelphia, where he took the course necessary for graduation, receiving his degree in the spring of 1855. Re- turning to Cheraw he immediately entered the practice and was engaged successfully in it at that place for four years following. Having married in the meantime and be- ing desirous of settling permanently in a more promising field, he came to Texas in 1859 and took up his residence near Gay- hill in Washington county. He resided in that county nntil 1870, when he moved to Corsicana, which has since been his home. The doctor has never followed any pursuit other than the practice of medi- cine, having prepared himself for this, and believing that it would afford him abun- dant exercise for all his time and talents. Like hundreds of his brethren, however, he abandoned his profession at the open- ing of the war and tendered his services as a private soldier to the cause of the Confederacy. He entered the army in April 1862, enlisting in Company B, Terry's Rangers, and was at once appointed regimental surgeon and later brigade sur- geon, receiving his commission as senior surgeon of Forrest's first brigade in Sep- tember, 1862. He served with this com- mand up to November, 1864, when he was given leave of absence to visit home

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with order of transfer to the Trans-Missis- sippi department, with orders to report to General Buckner. His subsequent service was with Forney's division of infantry as senior surgeon to King's brigade, choice of commands having been offered him by General Buckner, and this one being tlien under marching orders to the front whither the Doctor was anxious to go. He saw no more active service, being paroled at Hempstead, Texas, in May, 1865, before his command got into active service, much to his disappointment and chagrin.

He returned home after the surrender and resumed the practice of his profession in Washington county. He was residing in that county when the well remembered yellow-fever scourge visited central Texas in 1867, and it was by his noble acts of disinterested devotion to his suffering fel- low-men during this scourge that he en- deared himself to the people of his county and won their lasting gratitude and love. Disregarding the entreaties of those whose solicitude for his personal welfare would have had him violate his sense of his obli- gation to his fellow-man, he closed his books and without entering a single charge he fearlessly faced the dreaded enemy and for weeks was in the saddle, night and day, doing what he could for those who were stricken with the plague. He was finally taken down with the disease himself and came near losing his life.

For over twenty years after locating in Corsicana Dr. Gulick was engaged in the active practice of his profession, in fact np to within a year and a half ago. Novem- ber 2, 1890, he suffered a stroke ot paraly- sis which resulted in a palsy affection from

which he hardly hopes to recover, and, in anticipating permanent disability from this source he is preparing to withdraw from the practice. When in the active practice he enjoyed a fair share of the public pat- rouage, and many of his old patients who for years have been accustomed to go to him reluctantly give him up now, not- withstanding lis affliction and his increas- ing indisposition to "answer calls." Dr. Gulick is a man who has always enjoyed the unbounded confidence of those among whom he has practiced and is higlily es- teemed also by his medical brethren. He has always made it a point to be honest with himself and with his patients, not pretending to do more than he conld donor assuming to know more than he really knew. He is a great stickler for the eth- ics of his profession, being always courte- ous to his medical bretliren and especially considerate toward the younger members whom he is ever ready to help either with professional counsel or friendly advice. When in the active practice, he affiliated . with the different medical associations within his reach, and, so far as his opportu- nities would allow, took an active part in the deliberations of these associations, con- tributing his share of matter to their suc- cess.

Dr. Gulick has been twice married. He married first in 1857, while residing in Cheraw, South Carolina, the lady being Miss Margarett J. Sutherland, a daughter of Alexander Sutherland, a respected and well-to-do planter of Marlboro district, that State. This lady died June 3, 1879, leaving surviving her five children, all of whom are now grown, two being married.

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The eldest, a daughter, Annie C., is the wife of John T. Beal, formerly of Rich- mond, Virginia, now residing in Corsicana. The second, Mrs. Jennie Clarkson, is the wife of William Clarkson, of Cleburne, this State. The three younger ones, John A., Matilda M., and David Wiley, are still unmarried, the daughter being at home and the sons in business at Dallas. Dr. Gulick married the second time in 1880, his second wife being Miss Lizzie Talley, daughter of the Rev. John W. Talley, in former years a well-known divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Geor- gia. Mrs. Talley died in Dr. Gulick's home, where the aged widow still resides. Mrs. Gulick was born in Savannah, Georgia; was educated at La Grange Female Col- lege, that State, and graduated at Southern Masonic Female College at Covington. She was for a number of years prior to her marriage engaged in teaching and in this way became a citizen of Corsicana, where she met and was married to Dr. Gulick. She is an accomplished scholarly lady and was a most successful teacher, at Lexington, Missouri, where she was en- gaged in teaching for seven years; she was much loved by pupils and patrons. To her faithful work many of the first families of that State are indebted for the thorough training of their sons and daugh- ters. Later she was engaged in the same line of work at Trinidad, Colorado, from which place she came to Corsicana. For a number of years "Mrs. Gulick's Select School " of Corsicana was one of the first educational institutions of a private kind in this part of the State. It was patronized by many of the best families of Corsi-

cana and neighboring towns, number- ing as it did from seventy-five to eighty pupils at a time. The young ladies finishing then from year to year forined no inconsid- erable proportion of the well trained intel- lectual forces of Navarro and adjoining connties.

When the board of management of the North Central and South American Exposi- tion called for educational exhibits from pupils and private schools, Mrs. Gulick's pupils prepared an exhibit by collecting in a large album specimens of work from all grades in the literary department. The work consisted of examination papers, les- sons in printing and writing, illuminated copies of short quotations, problems in trigonometry, with drawings and calcula- tions by logarithins, criticisms of charac- ters from Shakespeare, and letters and es- says on various subjects.

The city council examined the work Feb- ruary 2, 1886, and decided, "It will be greatly beneficial to the State at large and to our county in particular to have an educational exhibit from Corsicana at the New Orleans Exposition; and whereas Mrs. Gulick has such an exhibit, gotten up by the pupils of her school, which is highly appropriate for the purpose and being in every way a credit to the city as well as the school, these resolutions were passed and the mayor forwarded the exhibit to New Orleans.

The work won the premium, and the diploma awarded by the management was handsomely framed, and his honor, Mayor R. S. Neblett, in behalf of the city council called and delivered a beautiful

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address to the school and with many com- pliments returned the album and presented the diploma.

Dr. Gulick is a member of the Ma- sonic order; in politics a Democrat.

DAWSON

was in 1890 quoted as having 365 in- habitants, although it has more now and thus became the second town of the county. It was a child of the main line of the Cot- ton Belt, which makes its way to Waco across the southwest part of Navarro conn- ty, where the site of Dawson could cover the widest range of Navarro territory un- touched by a railway. Its life is counted by the '80s, and it presents a vigorous life for a town of its size. It is of course well supplied with the usual stores and shops. It also has the force to support a bright weekly paper, called the Dawson Times.

BLOOMING GROVE

began its real life of vigor with the open- ing of the Hillsboro branch of the Cotton Belt from Corsicana. It was quoted in 1880 with seventy-five inhabitants, and in 1890 with 175, and is still growing. In- deed the young town shows a lively vigor, so that it supports two weekly newspapers. One of them may be typical of the place, as it bears the name The Rustler, while the other bears the genial name of The Sun.

EDUCATIONAL.

When it is known that Texas has a more stupendous school fund than almost any commonwealth the world ever saw, it may be of interest to glance at her general sys- tem before noting Navarro county's part in

this system. Aside from the State Nor- nial schools and the University, there is what is called the common-school system, which is totally independent of private and de- nominational schools. The private schools of Texas, like the most of the Southern States, have been, until very recent years, her chief dependence, and these have been extensive and of a high grade. The com- mon school, as it exists now, with county supervision, is a more recent product still. It was in the spring of 1884 that the present system, based on county supervis- ion, was perfected, - a fact which is especially noted because of the general acknowledged necessity of county supervision to make the system effective.

The common-school system embraces, (1) the rural schools; and (2) the inde- pendent school districts of the towns or cities. The rural schools are organized in two ways, either by districts or comninni- ties. "The districts," says the State Su- perintendent, writing in 1891, “ are formed by the commissioners' courts, have geo- graphical boundaries, and may vote a levy of local school tax not exceeding two mills. One hundred and thirty counties are thus districted, and about three per cent. of the districts levy local taxes. The average school term for the year 1890-'91 was 5.25 months in the districts; the average salary paid teachers was $228.05, and ninety per cent. of the children within scholastic age were enrolled in school some time during the year.

"In seventy-five counties the schools are operated on a peculiar plan called the community system. The community has no geographical boundaries, and enroll-

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ment on the community list is a matter of local enterprise. Local taxes can be levied in community counties, but the plan is cumbrous and rather inefficient .. The aver- age school term in these counties for 1890-'91 was 4.71 months, the average salary of teachers was $202.76, and the per- centage of enrollment on the scholastic population eighty-eight.

"The cities and towns of the State may be constituted independent districts on a majority vote of the people of the munici- pality. Independent districts may vote a levy of local school tax not exceeding five mills. There are 127 of these districts in the State, including all of the larger and and many of the smaller towns. The average school terms in these districts in 1890-'91 was 7.48 months, the average annual salary $447.97, and the percentage of enrollment 81.3. These districts are independent of the county school affairs, and receive the State apportionment direct from the State Treasurer.

" The State endowment of the common schools is large. About $7,427,808.75 in interest-bearing bonds, more than $14,- 380,906.37 in interest-bearing land notes, and about 20,000,000 acres of unsold land constitute the State endowment. Of the unsold school lands a large amount is leased at four cents per acre, and the funds thus derived added to the available school fund.

" Besides the State endowment fund, each county has been granted by the State four leagues of land, which constitute the county endowment. As these lands are sold the funds received are invested under the authority of the county commis-

sioners' court, and the interest on the in- vestment is annually applied to the support of the schools. A considerable portion of these lands are leased for varying terins of years, and the rental applied as the rental of the State school lands. These lands are under the exclusive control of the county authorities; 3,896,640 acres have thus been granted to counties, and a reservation has been made from the public domain for the unorganized counties.

" In addition to the interest on bonds and land notes and rental from leases, the State levies an annual ad-valorem school tax of one and one-quarter mills, devotes one-fourth of the occupation taxes, and an annual poll tax of $1 to the available school fund. The entire amount of the available apportioned school fund for the year 1890-'91 was $2,545,524, and the total receipts by local treasurers, including bal- ances from the previous year, were $3,958,- 316.07. The disbursements for the same year amounted to $3,551,442.53."

Navarro county covers three systems- the district and the independent towns of the common-school plan, the private, and the denominational schools. As the his- torical order has been the private first, then the district and independent schools, let them be noted in that order.

Mrs. Anderson, of Richland, was one of the first, if not the first teacher to open a school in Navarro county. The most noted early schools, however, were held in Cor- sicana, and it will be well to let Mrs. C. M. Winkler tell their story.

" The first school held in the courthouse was taught by Mack Elliott. When the academy was built, about 1849 or '50,

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

Captain William Peck and his wife, from Tennessee, opened a large school. They came with fine recommendations as educa- tors and soon their frame spread abroad, scholars cante from distant points, the num- bers swelling over 200. Mrs. Peck had great administrative ability, was strict in discipline and painstaking in instruction, their pupils going forth as well educated members of society.

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Author: Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 954

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954